When people enter inpatient mental health care, they are often at one of the most vulnerable points in their lives.

Clinical treatment is essential – but recovery is not built on clinical care alone.

At Avive Health, diversional therapy plays a critical role in supporting patients beyond structured therapy sessions – creating space for connection, creativity, and simply feeling like yourself again.

“It’s about kindness, caring and choice.”

For Doreen, Diversional Therapist at Avive, the philosophy is simple:

“Kindness, caring and choice – that’s what it’s about.”

With more than 60 years in nursing and over a decade in diversional therapy, Doreen brings both clinical understanding and genuine human connection into every interaction.

Her sessions are not rigid or prescriptive. Instead, they are shaped around each individual.

Some patients arrive anxious or withdrawn. Others come down after a difficult night.

“Sometimes they don’t want to do anything – and that’s okay. It might just be sitting, having a drink, and talking. Slowly, they’ll find something they feel comfortable with.”

That sense of choice is central – and often the first step toward engagement.

A safe space in the hardest moments

One theme consistently shared by both patients and staff is safety.

“They say they feel safe – that’s the biggest thing.”

In an inpatient environment, where people may feel overwhelmed or uncertain, diversional therapy offers a different kind of therapeutic space – informal, welcoming, and without pressure.

A patient shared:

“Even when I was really unwell, I knew I could get out of bed and come to diversional. It’s a safe space.”

That accessibility – without expectation – can be the difference between isolation and connection.

More than activities – building connection and confidence

At first glance, diversional therapy might look like arts and crafts, games, or music.

But beneath the surface, something far more meaningful is happening.

Patients are:

• reconnecting with others
• rebuilding confidence
• developing routine and structure
• expressing themselves in new ways
• “They’ll sit and talk – sometimes about things they wouldn’t say to anyone else. The social connection is a big part of it.”

For some, it becomes a defining part of their admission:

“Diversional is always one of the high points for me – it gives structure to my day and helps me meet people I wouldn’t otherwise.”

Why it works – especially when traditional therapy feels hard

Not every patient connects with traditional approaches such as meditation or structured group therapy.

Diversional therapy offers another pathway.

“My mind is too busy for meditation – but this, crafting – I can sit and just be present.”

Activities like knitting, colouring, music, or simple creative work provide:

• a form of active mindfulness
• a reduction in anxiety and agitation
• a sense of achievement – even in small moments

As Doreen reflects:

“Knitting can feel like a form of meditation.”

Breaking barriers and challenging assumptions

One of the most powerful aspects of diversional therapy is how it brings people together – often in unexpected ways.

Patients who initially resist participation frequently become the most engaged.

“They’ll say, ‘I can’t do that’ – especially the men. But then one starts, and the others follow. Next thing, they’re making bracelets for their children.”

These moments matter.

They build confidence, shift self-perception, and create a sense of pride and purpose.

A complement to clinical care

Diversional therapy does not replace clinical treatment – it enhances it.

Doreen works closely with the clinical team, documenting engagement, mood, and participation to support overall care planning.

“I write progress notes for the doctors – how they’re going, what they’re engaging in, how their mood is.”

This integration ensures that what happens outside formal therapy sessions still contributes meaningfully to recovery.

Small moments, lasting impact

Often, the impact of diversional therapy is found in the smallest moments:

• a patient joining a group after days of isolation
• someone creating something meaningful for their child
• a quiet conversation that builds trust
• laughter shared between people who once felt alone

“Seeing them go back to their room feeling lighter – that’s everything.”

Beyond the traditional model of care

Mental health recovery is not linear – and it does not happen in a single setting.

Diversional therapy reflects a broader shift toward holistic, human-centred, integrated models of care that support the full recovery journey.

At Avive, it is not an add-on.

It is part of how care is delivered.

Because sometimes, the most meaningful progress does not happen in a clinical session –

it happens when someone feels safe enough to sit down, pick something up, and begin again.

Learn more or get in touch

If you would like to learn more about inpatient programs or diversional therapy at Avive Health, our team is here to help.

Avive Clinic Mornington Peninsula

1 St Johns Lane, Mount Eliza VIC 3930

P: 1800 284 830

E: [email protected]

Avive Clinic Brisbane

16 Bryden Street, Windsor QLD 4030

P: 1800 284 830

E: [email protected]

Referrals can be made by GPs, psychiatrists and other health professionals. Patients and carers are also welcome to enquire directly and our team can assist with next steps.